"My cavaliers," he began anew, "Choose of my marches a baron true, Before King Marsil my best to do."

"Be it, then," said Roland, "my stepsire Gan, In vain ye seek for a meeter man."

The Franks exclaim, "He is worth the trust, So it please the king it is right and just."

Count Ganelon then was with anguish wrung, His mantle of fur from his neck he flung, Stood all stark in his silken vest, And his grey eyes gleamed with a fierce unrest Fair of body and large of limb, All in wonderment gazed on him.

"Thou madman," thus he to Roland cried, "What may this rage against me betide?

I am thy stepsire, as all men know, And thou doom'st me on hest like this to go; But so G.o.d my safe return bestow, I promise to work thee scathe and strife Long as thou breathest the breath of life."

"Pride and folly!" said Roland, then.

"Am I known to wreck of the threats of men?

But this is work for the sagest head.

So it please the king, I will go instead."

XXI

"In _my_ stead?--never, of mine accord.

Thou art not my va.s.sal nor I thy lord.

Since Karl commands me his hest to fill, Unto Saragossa ride forth I will; Yet I fear me to wreak some deed of ill, Thereby to slake this pa.s.sion's might."

Roland listened, and laughed outright.

XXII

At Roland's laughter Count Ganelon's pain Was as though his bosom were cleft in twain.

He turned to his stepson as one distraught: "I do not love thee," he said, "in aught; Thou hast false judgment against me wrought.

O righteous Emperor, here I stand To execute your high command."

XXIII

"Unto Saragossa I needs must go;-- Who goeth may never return, I know;-- Yet withal, your sister is spouse of mine, And our son--no fairer of mortal line-- Baldwin bids to be goodly knight; I leave him my honors and fiefs of right.

Guard him--no more shall he greet my sight"

Saith Karl, "Thou art over tender of heart.

Since I command it, thou shalt depart."

XXIV

"Fair Sir Gan," the Emperor spake, "This my message to Marsil take: He shall make confession of Christ's belief, And I yield him, full half of Spain in fief; In the other half shall Count Roland reign.

If he choose not the terms I now ordain, I will march unto Saragossa's gate, Besiege and capture the city straight, Take and bind him both hands and feet, Lead him to Aix, to my royal seat, There to be tried and judged and slain, Dying a death of disgrace and pain.

I have sealed the scroll of my command.

Deliver it into the heathen's hand."

XXV

"Gan," said the Emperor, "draw thou near: Take my glove and my baton here; On thee did the choice of thy fellows fall."

"Sire, 'twas Roland who wrought it all.

I shall not love him while life may last, Nor Olivier his comrade fast, Nor the peers who cherish and prize him so,-- Gage of defiance to all I throw."

Saith Karl, "Thine anger hath too much sway.

Since I ordain it, thou must obey."

"I go, but warranty none have I That I may not like Basil and Basan die."

XXVI

The Emperor reached him his right-hand glove; Gan for his office had scanty love; As he bent him forward, it fell to ground: "G.o.d, what is this?" said the Franks around; "Evil will come of this quest we fear."

"My lords," said Ganelon, "ye shall hear."

XXVII

"Sire," he said, "let me wend my way; Since go I must, what boots delay?"

Said the king, "In Jesus' name and mine!"

And his right hand sained him with holy sign.

Then he to Ganelon's grasp did yield His royal mace and missive sealed.

XXVIII

Home to his hostel is Ganelon gone, His choicest of harness and arms to don; On his charger Taschebrun to mount and ride, With his good sword Murgleis girt at side.

On his feet are fastened the spurs of gold, And his uncle Guinemer doth his stirrup hold.

Then might ye look upon cavaliers A-many round him who spake in tears.

"Sir," they said, "what a woful day!

Long were you ranked in the king's array, A n.o.ble va.s.sal as none gainsay.

For him who doomed you to journey hence Carlemagne's self shall be scant defence; Foul was the thought in Count Roland's mind, When you and he are so high affined.

Sir," they said, "let us with you wend."

"Nay," said Ganelon, "G.o.d forefend.

Liefer alone to my death I go, Than such brave bachelors perish so.

Sirs, ye return into France the fair; Greeting from me to my lady bear, To my friend and peer Sir Pinabel, And to Baldwin, my son, whom ye all know well,-- Cherish him, own him your lord of right."

He hath pa.s.sed on his journey and left their sight.

THE EMBa.s.sY AND CRIME OF GANELON

XXIX

Ganelon rides under olives high, And comes the Saracen envoys nigh.

Blancandrin lingers until they meet, And in cunning converse each other greet.

The Saracen thus began their parle: "What a man, what a wondrous man is Karl!

Apulia--Calabria--all subdued, Unto England crossed he the salt sea rude, Won for Saint Peter his tribute fee; But what in our marches maketh he?"

Ganelon said, "He is great of heart, Never man shall fill so mighty a part."

x.x.x

Said Blancandrin, "Your Franks are high of fame, But your dukes and counts are sore to blame.

Such counsel to their lord they give, Nor he nor others in peace may live."